Asian elephants once roamed across most of Asia, now they’re restricted to just 15% of their original range, in a number of fragmented and isolated populations around south and south-east Asia.

Asian elephants are not quite as big as their African cousins, and have proportionally smaller ears. They’re generally dark grey to brown but often have pink or yellow marks on their face, ears and trunk.

Female Asian elephants are more social than males. They live in herds with their female relatives. Males usually live alone but sometimes form small groups with other males.

Living in some of the most densely populated parts of the world has brought challenges – Asian elephant numbers have roughly halved in the last three elephant generations. We need your help to make them thrive again.

Nicola Loweth
Regional officer for India and China

"Elephants are an important cultural and religious icon in south Asia but they face an uncertain future. In partnership with government agencies, NGOs and local communities we're working to protect elephant habitats; restore traditional migration routes and strengthen efforts to manage human-elephant conflict to secure a future in which both people and elephants can thrive."

Asian elephants stomping ground

More than half of all wild Asian elephants are found in India, with around 10,000 in the north-east of the country. Some move across the border between India and Nepal.

There may be fewer than 100 wild elephants in Vietnam, perhaps 250 in Cambodia, and under 250 left in China.

Why Asian elephants are so important

Elephants are very important grazers and browsers, eating vast amounts of vegetation every day, spreading seeds around as they go. They also help shape the often-thick vegetation of the Asian landscape.

For example in forests, elephants create clearings and gaps in the trees that let sunlight in to reach new seedlings, helping plants grow and the forest to regenerate naturally. Forests provide important resources for both wildlife and people.

Elephants will also dig for water when there isn't any surface water – opening water access for other creatures as well as themselves.

By protecting the Asian elephant, we’re making sure they and their environment stay healthy and thriving.

get involved

£25 could pay a Protection Unit ranger's salary for 10 days, to help keep these magestic creatures safe.

Adopt an elephant and help us fight against illegal wildlife trade, reduce habitat loss and help people live alongside elephants, so this magnificent animal can thrive in the wild.

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Challenges affecting Asian elephants

Conflict with people

It's estimated that about half a million families are affected by crop-raiding elephants each year in India – which can result in loss of income, food or even lives. Farmers sometimes kill elephants to protect their family or income.

Challenges affecting Asian elephants

Loss and fragmentation of habitat

Asia is the world’s most densely populated continent, and has had some of the highest rates of deforestation in recent years. Because Asian elephants need a lot of room to roam, they’re one of the animals that’s suffered most. We're working in partnerships with forest departments, local NGOs and communities to secure a future for elephants by restoring biological corridors without disturbing human habitations.

Challenges affecting Asian elephants

Illegal wildlife trade

Even where suitable habitat exists, poaching remains a threat to elephants. Since only males have tusks, poaching has resulted in highly skewed male-female sex ratio in many areas. Poaching for meat and other products like tail hair also pose threats to populations, especially in northeast India. Asian elephants are still killed for their ivory tusks, meat and skin. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam lost three quarters of their wild elephants in the late 1980s and 1990, largely due to poaching.

Challenges affecting Asian elephants

Threats from climate change

The average temperature in Southeast Asia is estimated to rise from 0.18°C to 3.8 °C over the next 30-40 years. The timing and location of the yearly monsoons in the region is also predicted to shift northwards and earlier in the season. These changes are expected to drastically decrease Asian elephant survival and could potentially double mortality, whilst also influencing the timing and frequency of births.